German sprinter Marcel Kittel is taking the cycling world by storm (Picture: AP)

Giant-Shimano rider Marcel Kittel is rapidly rising through the ranks of the cycling world – with the German’s popularity seemingly increasing day-by-day thanks to his superb sprinting performances in the 2014 Tour de France.

The 26-year-old’s outings on the Tour are just part of the story behind the rise of Kittel, though, and we give you five reasons why the German cyclist is quickly gaining fans around the world…

1. Sprint power

Since becoming a sprinter in 2011, Kittel has developed into one of the fastest men in the cycling world with his raw power, speed and incredible acceleration abilities.

His sprinting technique has seen him race to victory in three stages in this year’s Tour de France with his success showing the threat he poses to Britain’s Mark Cavendish for the title of ‘sprint king’.

2. Stage wins

Marcel Kittel won the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France in Harrogate (Picture: AP)

Kittel has impressed in this year’s Tour de France with three stage wins out of eight so far – meaning he now has seven wins in the competition overall.

He not only knows how to win but he does it in style too, after being crowned by the Royals as winner of the first stage in Harrogate and clinching victory in stage three on The Mall.

To add, the Giant-Shimano rider even ended Cavendish’s four-year reign of winning on the Champs-Elysees when Kittel triumphed in Paris on the final stage last year.

Kittel possesses a passion for his hair and likes to ensure his blond crop is neatly styled at all times with the so-called ‘Kittel-cut’ seemingly becoming the hairstyle to have for all men – and apparently even babies.

The 26-year-old’s love for big hair even made headlines earlier in the Tour when Kittel’s hair gel was confiscated by security at London City airport.